Study on gender roles (feminine/masculine), leisure time identities and leisure time attendances of individuals playing tennis

The objective of study has been specified as to examine whether or not gender roles, leisure time identities and leisure time attendances of individuals playing tennis differentiate according to some demographic characteristics, besides the correlation among gender roles, leisure time identities and leisure time attendances. The study method is descriptive according to objective, cross-sectional according to time of conductance and a survey study according to data gathering method. The study has been designed with screening model. Hypotheses of the study have been specified as "are the gender roles, leisure time identities and leisure time attendances of individuals playing tennis differentiating according to some demographic characteristics" and "is there a correlation among gender roles, leisure time identities and leisure time attendances of tennis players?" The universe of the thesis is composed of female and male individuals who regularly play tennis in several sports clubs in Antalya city. The study sampling is composed of 91 female and 162 male individuals selected with random sampling method who regularly play tennis in their leisure time. A survey questionnaire form composed of three chapters has been used as the data gathering instrument. The "Personal Information Form" by which demographic details of attendances are examined has been applied in the first chapter of the study, 'Athletic Identity Questionnaire' in the second chapter and 'BEM Personality Inventory' in the third chapter. This study survey questions about age, gender of individuals, number of years for which they have regularly played tennis, number of days and hours per week they play tennis, the degrees they have obtained in tennis sports and total match points they have received in the tournaments they attended in the last 1 year. In direction of information obtained from the form, demographic data of individuals as well as number of years they play tennis in their leisure times for a period of one year or longer have been evaluated. The scales used in the study have been applied by means of face-to-face interviews with 253 individuals who regularly visit four different tennis clubs located in Antalya city. Necessary permissions have been obtained by informing all club managers about the objective and content of the study at the beginning of the researches. All individuals have been informed about the objective of the study and the survey questionnaire being applied on a volunteer basis and their consent has been received. The individuals have been asked about their age, whether or not they have ix played tennis regularly two days a week for at least one year or play played professional tennis as licenses in a club before implementing the survey questionnaire. The survey questionnaire has also been applied on the individuals below 18 years old who have played tennis for a period less than one year as well as professional and licensed tennis players. The questionnaire was applied on the individuals just before or after their activity in terms of productivity of the study. Each interview has taken ten minutes in average. It may be said that masculine gender role is effective in attendance in leisure time tennis attendance and individuals who play tennis in leisure time identify themselves as "tennis players" in direction of study results. It may be stated that masculinity gender role of female attendees is effective on leisure time identity and leisure time attendance (tennis) and these individuals identify themselves as tennis players. On the other hand, it may be stated that masculinity gender role characteristics of male individuals are effective on their leisure time identity. It may be stated that masculine gender role characteristics of female individuals attending tennis sports gender role of which is specified as uncertain in the literature are effective, such a context is not specified about attendance of male individuals. Keywords: Gender Identity, Leisure Time Attendance, Athletic Identity